Pozzo family have completed the takeover of Watford

Pictured is Gianluca Nani (left) and Scott Duxbury (right). We expect them both to have roles at Watford under the Pozzos. Picture: Action Images Pictured is Gianluca Nani (left) and Scott Duxbury (right). We expect them both to have roles at Watford under the Pozzos. Picture: Action Images

The Pozzo family have completed their takeover of Watford Football Club, the Watford Observer understands.

All parties have been working tirelessly for the last two weeks in a bid to complete the deal and we understand the takeover was completed in the early hours of this morning.

Although we understand it will not be announced until later today.

Representatives working for Laurence Bassini and the Pozzo family have been working late for the last two nights in a bid to finally conclude the deal.

Sources had told the Watford Observer the deal was “imminent” on Tuesday but adjustments to the takeover documents were needed.

The Pozzos have been interested in Watford for a few months but Bassini had insisted on several occasions there was no truth in our sources’ claims the family wanted to take over the club and that he was not looking to sell.

The Stanmore businessman finally admitted he was leaving the club two weeks ago and since then all parties have been working to conclude the deal.

Father Giampaolo Pozzo will be influential to the future of Watford but his son Gino will be the more hands-on family member.

But we expect former West Ham United chief executive Scott Duxbury to be in charge of the day-to-day running of the club. Duxbury has been part of the negotiating team working for the Pozzos.

Ex-West Ham technical director Gianluca Nani worked with Duxbury at Upton Park and is also expected to have a role at Watford.

We understand the Pozzos will replace current manager Sean Dyche with Gianfranco Zola.

We understand Watford’s staff members have not been paid as of this morning (Friday).

The staff were informed last month that their pay date, which had been the 28th for several years, had been pushed back to “around the end of the month”, which is in their contracts.

But with June 30th falling on Saturday, the staff were due to receive their money today.

Comments(97)

Dr,Oftaw says...
10:02am Fri 29 Jun 12

get in............. and baz get out

Hungry_Hornet says...
10:09am Fri 29 Jun 12

Nothing on the official site yet...

dmuz says...
10:11am Fri 29 Jun 12

Hungry_Hornet wrote:
Nothing on the official site yet...
The article says that it will be announced later today. Someone needs to get on the old type writer and produce a press release I imagine.

Colin West's mullet says...
10:12am Fri 29 Jun 12

woo MUTHALOVIN' hoo!!!!

Broughs says...
10:12am Fri 29 Jun 12

Now I can head off to watch The Stone Roses with even more eggcitement! Udinese Hornets. FORZA WATFORD

Watford Voice of reason says...
10:15am Fri 29 Jun 12

The next few weeks should be very interesting! Can't see this being anything other than good news!

tonupchris says...
10:16am Fri 29 Jun 12

Thank god for that. I can do some work now. The future is most definitely bright yellow and not murky non league orange!!

Hungry_Hornet says...
10:17am Fri 29 Jun 12

dmuz wrote:
Hungry_Hornet wrote:
Nothing on the official site yet...
The article says that it will be announced later today. Someone needs to get on the old type writer and produce a press release I imagine.
I know it says that but until it's not on the official site, it's not official so I'm not celebrating.

I want this takeover to happen as much as everyone else, but am not celebrating until it's official.

Colin West's mullet says...
10:19am Fri 29 Jun 12

Hungry_Hornet wrote:
dmuz wrote:
Hungry_Hornet wrote:
Nothing on the official site yet...
The article says that it will be announced later today. Someone needs to get on the old type writer and produce a press release I imagine.
I know it says that but until it's not on the official site, it's not official so I'm not celebrating.

I want this takeover to happen as much as everyone else, but am not celebrating until it's official.
boo! stop spoiling the party granddad!

worthing_hornet says...
10:19am Fri 29 Jun 12

Hopefully this is going to be good news for the club. Now let's sort out the basics like getting staff wages paid!

mrbankrupt says...
10:20am Fri 29 Jun 12

Thank you! there is a God

Bye Bye Bankrupt
Might have to change my name to the great pozzo now

The Somerset Hornet says...
10:21am Fri 29 Jun 12

Good news, lets hope the staff get paid today as well

Colin West's mullet says...
10:23am Fri 29 Jun 12

Rookery, give us an aria!
Rookery, Rookery, give us an aria!

AussieHornetsFan says...
10:25am Fri 29 Jun 12

Awesome news...looking forward to exciting times ahead.. Just wish more games were televised so I could watch from Sydney.

buckler says...
10:30am Fri 29 Jun 12

Old news Buckler told you this was happening weeks ago! Bye bye Bas and a big welcome to the Great Pozzo!

JB11 says...
10:32am Fri 29 Jun 12

Good, good, good! Looks suspiciously like a final passing shot from Baz by staff wages not going through?!?

WFCBigStu says...
10:36am Fri 29 Jun 12

The future is bright the future is 'Golden' and that's no yolk!!

Harrydownunder says...
10:36am Fri 29 Jun 12

AussieHornetsFan wrote:
Awesome news...looking forward to exciting times ahead.. Just wish more games were televised so I could watch from Sydney.
hello mate, have you joined our hornets down under group on Facebook??

derry pigweed says...
10:37am Fri 29 Jun 12

Good news
I hope we have seen the last of the Tiresome Mr Bazzini.....!

Internet Troll? uhmm

Harrydownunder says...
10:41am Fri 29 Jun 12

Sensational news and what a way to start the weekend!!!
Come on you Orns!!!
"we're a million miles from l*t*n, a million miles from l*t*n"......

Colin West's mullet says...
10:42am Fri 29 Jun 12

eggsiting times - wonder how much the Pozzo's had to shell out in the end?

Colin West's mullet says...
10:47am Fri 29 Jun 12

suggestions for Bassini's next move? Can we have a poll please WO?

1. Potman at the Red/Yellow Lion
2. Lucrative international public speaking tour
3. Chancellor of the Exchequer

mrbankrupt says...
10:50am Fri 29 Jun 12

Colin West's mullet wrote:
suggestions for Bassini's next move? Can we have a poll please WO?

1. Potman at the Red/Yellow Lion
2. Lucrative international public speaking tour
3. Chancellor of the Exchequer
More like "Big Issue Big Issue"

watford1881 says...
10:51am Fri 29 Jun 12

Now will Dyche be out??
Hope we don't end up regretting the takeover... Only time will tell....

mrbankrupt says...
10:53am Fri 29 Jun 12

watford1881 wrote:
Now will Dyche be out??
Hope we don't end up regretting the takeover... Only time will tell....
whats your name the Grim Reaper.
Best thing thats happened in years

Colin West's mullet says...
10:54am Fri 29 Jun 12

watford1881 wrote:
Now will Dyche be out??
Hope we don't end up regretting the takeover... Only time will tell....
I get the feeling that stuff will come out over the next few weeks that will make us all realise just how essential this takeover was.

Mickey Quinn, not so thin says...
11:06am Fri 29 Jun 12

Colin West's mullet wrote:
watford1881 wrote:
Now will Dyche be out??
Hope we don't end up regretting the takeover... Only time will tell....
I get the feeling that stuff will come out over the next few weeks that will make us all realise just how essential this takeover was.
Yes. We can argue long and hard about whether we suffered or benefited from Bas' reign, but this MUST be good news. Both from what we are assuming the Pozzos want to achieve, AND what might have happened in the future under Bas. Think we are all on the same side now? Wonder how long it will last before the first "Pozzos out" message ?

Can't wait to hear their plans. Bet we wont have to wait weeks to hear as we did with Bas !!

Napalm Pudding says...
11:06am Fri 29 Jun 12

The year of living dangerously has passed then? Thank God! That wally would've destroyed us. Let's see what comes out- I bet it's grim.

There was only one Scully says...
11:07am Fri 29 Jun 12

Great news and I hope this turns out to be what we have been waiting for!
Staff have not been paid today and are in the dark as to when, they will be!

Frankie Frazer says...
11:08am Fri 29 Jun 12

over the moon this looks like its going to happen, but I'm not celebrating until the rotund lady starts opening up the old vocal cords!!!!!
Hopefully now the slate will be wiped clean and all fans of WFC can stick together for a while and forget their differences (at least for a small time anyway!!) ... I look forward to debating about football issues like who should play in goal rather than the constant behind scenes worries we have had to deal with for so many years.... COYH!!

albertmcglenaghan says...
11:15am Fri 29 Jun 12

Do you think Messrs Pozzo and Nani know Andrea Pirlo? He would give our midfield a bit of creativity. And while I'm at it, do they have SuperMario's agent's number? We need someone up front now Deeney's been banged up.

Hampshire hornet says...
11:16am Fri 29 Jun 12

Best thing our owner has done, give him some credit 'if' he has sold to credible buyers and has secured the long term future of the club....... I am saying nothing else .....
(in fear of impending Court cases) ... In that case Mr Bassini you are great....

mrbankrupt says...
11:17am Fri 29 Jun 12

Mickey Quinn, not so thin wrote:
Colin West's mullet wrote:
watford1881 wrote:
Now will Dyche be out??
Hope we don't end up regretting the takeover... Only time will tell....
I get the feeling that stuff will come out over the next few weeks that will make us all realise just how essential this takeover was.
Yes. We can argue long and hard about whether we suffered or benefited from Bas' reign, but this MUST be good news. Both from what we are assuming the Pozzos want to achieve, AND what might have happened in the future under Bas. Think we are all on the same side now? Wonder how long it will last before the first "Pozzos out" message ?

Can't wait to hear their plans. Bet we wont have to wait weeks to hear as we did with Bas !!
Everybody on here is happy with the take over.
But good old Quinny has to mention about the first Pozzo Out post.
What is wrong with you,Get a life!

Mickey Quinn, not so thin says...
11:23am Fri 29 Jun 12

mrbankrupt wrote:
Mickey Quinn, not so thin wrote:
Colin West's mullet wrote:
watford1881 wrote:
Now will Dyche be out??
Hope we don't end up regretting the takeover... Only time will tell....
I get the feeling that stuff will come out over the next few weeks that will make us all realise just how essential this takeover was.
Yes. We can argue long and hard about whether we suffered or benefited from Bas' reign, but this MUST be good news. Both from what we are assuming the Pozzos want to achieve, AND what might have happened in the future under Bas. Think we are all on the same side now? Wonder how long it will last before the first "Pozzos out" message ?

Can't wait to hear their plans. Bet we wont have to wait weeks to hear as we did with Bas !!
Everybody on here is happy with the take over.
But good old Quinny has to mention about the first Pozzo Out post.
What is wrong with you,Get a life!
Yes....and my money will be on you to post it, Mr cheerful. Until then lets continue in this new found harmony. Even Lutondown and I have been getting on. Come on Mr B...big family hug ??

watford1881 says...
11:34am Fri 29 Jun 12

Maybe the fans like me who have seen owners come & go are a little more unsure.. Little Scroat fans charge in all guns blazing.. That's why we should be careful..

tonupchris says...
11:39am Fri 29 Jun 12

All negative posts should now be banned till we lose at Palace having sold Hogg, Murray, Mariappa, sacked Deeney, no payments to staff and it turns out that the Pozzo's own a Ford Grandada.

mrbankrupt says...
11:43am Fri 29 Jun 12

tonupchris wrote:
All negative posts should now be banned till we lose at Palace having sold Hogg, Murray, Mariappa, sacked Deeney, no payments to staff and it turns out that the Pozzo's own a Ford Grandada.
i think if we win every game and sign Messi Watford1881 wouldn't be happy.(but even clappers like him can'y spoil my day)
Big hug to you to Quinny

tonupchris says...
11:56am Fri 29 Jun 12

mrbankrupt wrote:
tonupchris wrote:
All negative posts should now be banned till we lose at Palace having sold Hogg, Murray, Mariappa, sacked Deeney, no payments to staff and it turns out that the Pozzo's own a Ford Grandada.
i think if we win every game and sign Messi Watford1881 wouldn't be happy.(but even clappers like him can'y spoil my day)
Big hug to you to Quinny
Agree with Mr Bankrupt on this and that hasn't happened very often recently! I do find it hard to work out how we can find anything negative to say about this. They have a proven track record of making a success out of a football club while also making money. They have come to England because this is where the money is so making Watford a success makes sense. I have also been going a long time and seen a fair few owners come and go but don't think I've ever felt more confident about our future than I do right now.
A good time for everybody to be right behind the new owners and welcome them to the field of shattered dreams (Vicarage Road).
Exciting times ahead and I haven't looked forward to a season like this in quite some time

Gash69 says...
12:04pm Fri 29 Jun 12

I am really happy that the takeover appears to have been completed, in this case better the devil you don't know !. However my biggest concern is that Sean will lose his job, he has performed miracles on a shoestring & hould definitely be involved moing forward, Gianfranco was a fantastic player but his pedigree as a manager does not stand close scrutiny & for me I am a little scarred from the last time we a an ex Chelsea italian superstar as a manager !!

Colin West's mullet says...
12:06pm Fri 29 Jun 12

Baz, if you're reading this, all the best mate.

http://jobs.mcdonald
s.co.uk/

Colin West's mullet says...
12:23pm Fri 29 Jun 12

Whilst I do understand the lack of huge excitement about Zola's impending arrival, I'd like to say the following:

Not every young manager starts their career at full pace (Hoofroyd did, and look at him now), and there are very, very few (Ferguson the only one I can think of, possibly GT & Gradi) who have never been sacked.

Most West Ham fans say Zola had one great season and one terrible one, and let's not forget he had one of the smaller budgets in the PL.

Hopefully he has learned some lessons from that. His West Ham team played the kind of football their fans can only dream about now - the kind of football we might have been playing if Judas R*dg*rs had stuck around.

One of the challenges of trying to play attractive football in this league is that it can take time to get the team right- both in terms of personnel & style/tactics - and time is a luxury not available to most managers in this (or any other) league. The fact that the Pozzos have a truly excellent track record of stable, long-term planning that has been absolutely & entirely successful is a great indicator that they will allow the new manager (assuming it will be Zola) the time & resources to build and develop his side.

There are no guarantees in football, but I am genuinely excitied about WFC for the first time since AB left. I love & defend pretty much all styles of football - one of the things that makes it the world's finest sport is that it can be played in so many different ways -but the thought of a financially stable Watford playing attractive passing football is something I didn't think I'd be seeing anytime soon.

So, whilst Sean can feel rightly hard done-by to lose his job, I wouldn't prevent it if it were in my power. I welcome the new regime with open arms - including Zola, the Italian Fonz.

Colin West's mullet says...
12:23pm Fri 29 Jun 12

Colin West's mullet wrote:
Whilst I do understand the lack of huge excitement about Zola's impending arrival, I'd like to say the following:

Not every young manager starts their career at full pace (Hoofroyd did, and look at him now), and there are very, very few (Ferguson the only one I can think of, possibly GT & Gradi) who have never been sacked.

Most West Ham fans say Zola had one great season and one terrible one, and let's not forget he had one of the smaller budgets in the PL.

Hopefully he has learned some lessons from that. His West Ham team played the kind of football their fans can only dream about now - the kind of football we might have been playing if Judas R*dg*rs had stuck around.

One of the challenges of trying to play attractive football in this league is that it can take time to get the team right- both in terms of personnel & style/tactics - and time is a luxury not available to most managers in this (or any other) league. The fact that the Pozzos have a truly excellent track record of stable, long-term planning that has been absolutely & entirely successful is a great indicator that they will allow the new manager (assuming it will be Zola) the time & resources to build and develop his side.

There are no guarantees in football, but I am genuinely excitied about WFC for the first time since AB left. I love & defend pretty much all styles of football - one of the things that makes it the world's finest sport is that it can be played in so many different ways -but the thought of a financially stable Watford playing attractive passing football is something I didn't think I'd be seeing anytime soon.

So, whilst Sean can feel rightly hard done-by to lose his job, I wouldn't prevent it if it were in my power. I welcome the new regime with open arms - including Zola, the Italian Fonz.
farkin typical

http://www.talksport
.co.uk/sports-news/f
ootball/football-lea
gue/championship/120
629/watford-set-miss
-out-zola-serie-call
s-175486?

peter10531089 says...
12:27pm Fri 29 Jun 12

Welcome to the Pozzo family, please keep Sean he has done a great job, knows the club and is loved by the fans (even the ones like me who weren't that impressed at the start of last season).

Edwardz22 says...
12:38pm Fri 29 Jun 12

Rookery fans raise your voices it's done finally. I cant wait i cant wait what the future is going to be bright and wonderful like the colour yellow. Bring on the first home game i give them a welcoming cheer

4boys says...
12:47pm Fri 29 Jun 12

Excellent news, no negatives, maybe will play some decent football again and make me regret moving down under. New strikers, a midfielder and maybe a couple of wingers, and Zola in charge, just brilliant, maybe get some loanees off Chelsea

J.A.A. says...
12:50pm Fri 29 Jun 12

Oh dear lots of people getting carried away.I think foreign ownership of our clubs is not a good thing,they dont understand our culture and this will change maybe not for the better.lets hope i am wrong but be careful what you wish for.Desperately sorry for Sean Dyche he has done a fantastic job and Watford will be the poorer without him as well as G.T.

garston tony says...
12:56pm Fri 29 Jun 12

Sale completion announced on radio 5 a few minutes ago. good stuff, hopefully Pozzo's will give us concrete info on plans soon. hope SD stays too

Chris the Vic says...
12:58pm Fri 29 Jun 12

Their first mistake is, if rumours are true, will be to get rid of Sean Dyche.

But it wont be long before he gets fixed up and with a good pay off in his pocket.

Thanks to bas for apparently sourcing such a beneficial takeover.

santa-says says...
1:04pm Fri 29 Jun 12

I really hope this stuff about replacing Dyche is rubbish - he's been good and is loyal and gives us continuity.

akureyri says...
1:10pm Fri 29 Jun 12

Sean Dyche has not gone yet and still he may have an opportunity as I read reports Gianfranco Zola is being chased by Sampdoria.

4boys says...
1:23pm Fri 29 Jun 12

Lot of people getting carried away with keeping Dychey, probably same ones calling for his head after half a dozen games
Lets just wait and see, and get behind new owners, after all they are investing THEIR money, and have done pretty good job at the other two clubs

Colin West's mullet says...
1:26pm Fri 29 Jun 12

all confirmed by BBC just now.

Paul Gadd says...
1:29pm Fri 29 Jun 12

my careful, considered response to this news is:

let's go fn mental, let's go fn mental! (repeat until dead)

Colin West's mullet says...
1:29pm Fri 29 Jun 12

santa-says wrote:
I really hope this stuff about replacing Dyche is rubbish - he's been good and is loyal and gives us continuity.
as much as i have nothing against SD - what's all this about 'loyal'?

he's not been offered any other jobs that I'm aware of, so, whilst I'm not saying he is disloyal, I have seen no evidence yet of any conspicuous loyalty.

Colin West's mullet says...
1:32pm Fri 29 Jun 12

from the BBC:

"Former West Ham boss Gianfranco Zola is known to be admired by the Pozzo family, who have also been impressed with the Championship club's youth academy set-up, and they are giving strong consideration to recruiting the Italian as manager for next season.
Current Watford manager Sean Dyche led the club to their highest league position for four years in his debut season, but is said to be "aware of the situation".
Former West Ham chief executive Scott Duxbury is also likely to accept a role within the new regime at Vicarage Road.
Duxbury and Zola have a strong relationship from their days at Upton Park, but it remains to be seen if they will link up again at Watford."

Oracledave says...
1:36pm Fri 29 Jun 12

garston tony wrote:
Sale completion announced on radio 5 a few minutes ago. good stuff, hopefully Pozzo's will give us concrete info on plans soon. hope SD stays too
I for one will be more interested in plans for concrete !

West Country Hornet says...
1:38pm Fri 29 Jun 12

Chris the Vic wrote:
Their first mistake is, if rumours are true, will be to get rid of Sean Dyche. But it wont be long before he gets fixed up and with a good pay off in his pocket. Thanks to bas for apparently sourcing such a beneficial takeover.
Agree - Dyche absolutely deserves another crack at it... with funds! Also good to keep continuity during the transition. Could Zola do a better job? Not sure, West Ham dispatched with his services for a reason and memories of the rubbish served up during the reign of Gianluca (and that green sweater) come flooding back to mind. Forza Watford!!

Colin West's mullet says...
1:41pm Fri 29 Jun 12

Poll:

who will be Watford's manager next season?

1. Sean Dyche
2. Gianfranco Zola
3. Ricky Hill

Paul Gadd says...
1:44pm Fri 29 Jun 12

everyone is loyal to WFC until other clubs come knocking....MM, Judas etc and Dyche are no different.....when new owners come to a club, do they have to loyal to previous managers?
Dyche did well to keep us up, but his signings were more miss than hit, teams below us were awful/hit with penalties and the fact he is ex-Looney Town does not sit well with me
Forza Watford, Forza Pozzos!!

bigthunder says...
1:44pm Fri 29 Jun 12

Anyone else getting the odd twinge of De-je-vue

EX Chelsea and Italian legend of a player taking over

new kit that is almost all yellow , remember the all yellow "T shirt " we had last time under the chelsea italian

even had that idiot Vialli on TV last night and he mentioned Zola , not regarding us but what a great player he was

at least no mention of Wilkins
so far anyway !!

oh well still pleased we are in better hands now the dark days i forcasted have gone although it did get very murky !

welcome to our new, what seem like professional owners

Hope Dyche is looked after and still in some way hope he can stay on but if it has to be Zola then welcome Gianfranco

for the first time in years i see a brighter future for WFC , we have had some terrible chairmen/owners, Simpson Bassini and Petchey in that order of the worst for me ,to clarify at least petchey left a legacy of two new stands, not ring fenced promises and empty words

lets hope we can now finally finish of the ground, build a tidy competitive team and have a go !

craig239 says...
1:54pm Fri 29 Jun 12

Here is what I think happened.
Basa ran out of cas and missed payment to bondholders.This ment that on a cetain date oneship of Watford would passback to Lord A. Basa became ore desperate for funds enc the safe incident!Lord A (wirely old fx) had aleady postioned the Pozzo family to move in. As the situation became untenable GT decided to leave ship. Bssa soldiered n but couldn't make it. So once the legals had srted out Bassa they then opened the door to the Italians. Forza Watford. Never buy a football club if you are under capitalised, a lesson Bazza hasjust learn't
La proxima Volta!

mike c dorset says...
1:57pm Fri 29 Jun 12

How long before the "Salad Boys" are back on board?

llloydwithathirdl says...
2:00pm Fri 29 Jun 12

Wonderful wonderful news - such a giant leap forward for WFC.

Huge shame for Dyche if he goes, but if these people are coming in to rescue us, I can undertand that they will want to do things their way.

JohnnyHornet says...
2:11pm Fri 29 Jun 12

buckler wrote:
Old news Buckler told you this was happening weeks ago! Bye bye Bas and a big welcome to the Great Pozzo!
Buckler is now a happy clapper.

JohnnyHornet says...
2:17pm Fri 29 Jun 12

Colin West's mullet wrote:
Whilst I do understand the lack of huge excitement about Zola's impending arrival, I'd like to say the following:

Not every young manager starts their career at full pace (Hoofroyd did, and look at him now), and there are very, very few (Ferguson the only one I can think of, possibly GT & Gradi) who have never been sacked.

Most West Ham fans say Zola had one great season and one terrible one, and let's not forget he had one of the smaller budgets in the PL.

Hopefully he has learned some lessons from that. His West Ham team played the kind of football their fans can only dream about now - the kind of football we might have been playing if Judas R*dg*rs had stuck around.

One of the challenges of trying to play attractive football in this league is that it can take time to get the team right- both in terms of personnel & style/tactics - and time is a luxury not available to most managers in this (or any other) league. The fact that the Pozzos have a truly excellent track record of stable, long-term planning that has been absolutely & entirely successful is a great indicator that they will allow the new manager (assuming it will be Zola) the time & resources to build and develop his side.

There are no guarantees in football, but I am genuinely excitied about WFC for the first time since AB left. I love & defend pretty much all styles of football - one of the things that makes it the world's finest sport is that it can be played in so many different ways -but the thought of a financially stable Watford playing attractive passing football is something I didn't think I'd be seeing anytime soon.

So, whilst Sean can feel rightly hard done-by to lose his job, I wouldn't prevent it if it were in my power. I welcome the new regime with open arms - including Zola, the Italian Fonz.
I have only 2 mates and they are both West ham fans and say that Zola was a complete disaster, so let's hope not, Carry on SD

cliff46 says...
2:21pm Fri 29 Jun 12

I see that the BBC website states that Watford were advised by administrator Andrew Andronikov, I am sure he was the man that acted in that capacity for Portsmouth.
Does that mean we were in deeper financial mess than has so far been admitted or was he just acting as a paid advisor?

mrbankrupt says...
2:39pm Fri 29 Jun 12

JohnnyHornet wrote:
Colin West's mullet wrote:
Whilst I do understand the lack of huge excitement about Zola's impending arrival, I'd like to say the following:

Not every young manager starts their career at full pace (Hoofroyd did, and look at him now), and there are very, very few (Ferguson the only one I can think of, possibly GT & Gradi) who have never been sacked.

Most West Ham fans say Zola had one great season and one terrible one, and let's not forget he had one of the smaller budgets in the PL.

Hopefully he has learned some lessons from that. His West Ham team played the kind of football their fans can only dream about now - the kind of football we might have been playing if Judas R*dg*rs had stuck around.

One of the challenges of trying to play attractive football in this league is that it can take time to get the team right- both in terms of personnel & style/tactics - and time is a luxury not available to most managers in this (or any other) league. The fact that the Pozzos have a truly excellent track record of stable, long-term planning that has been absolutely & entirely successful is a great indicator that they will allow the new manager (assuming it will be Zola) the time & resources to build and develop his side.

There are no guarantees in football, but I am genuinely excitied about WFC for the first time since AB left. I love & defend pretty much all styles of football - one of the things that makes it the world's finest sport is that it can be played in so many different ways -but the thought of a financially stable Watford playing attractive passing football is something I didn't think I'd be seeing anytime soon.

So, whilst Sean can feel rightly hard done-by to lose his job, I wouldn't prevent it if it were in my power. I welcome the new regime with open arms - including Zola, the Italian Fonz.
I have only 2 mates and they are both West ham fans and say that Zola was a complete disaster, so let's hope not, Carry on SD
i only have 2 mates lol your not strummerjoe by any chance

Mickey Quinn, not so thin says...
2:42pm Fri 29 Jun 12

cliff46 wrote:
I see that the BBC website states that Watford were advised by administrator Andrew Andronikov, I am sure he was the man that acted in that capacity for Portsmouth.
Does that mean we were in deeper financial mess than has so far been admitted or was he just acting as a paid advisor?
Thought the same thing - why otherwise would an administrator be involved? Can only assume non payment of debt/interest meant the bondholders were entitled to appoint an administrator to achieve the sale.

john the greek says...
2:43pm Fri 29 Jun 12

i feel sorry for Sean Dyche. He has shown loyalty to a club whose supporters shout and moan about a lack of loyalty at the drop of a hat then most have hardly a word for him when he is going to be shown the door. I have never believed Bassini was at Watford for the long term. Whoever he was there for everything has worked out well for ashcroft and simpson! with no flack for them whatsoever. Good luck to Sean Dyche. The most positive side of this I think is that the Pozzis should be bright enough to see our greatest asset is the Academy

llloydwithathirdl says...
2:46pm Fri 29 Jun 12

mrbankrupt wrote:
JohnnyHornet wrote:
Colin West's mullet wrote:
Whilst I do understand the lack of huge excitement about Zola's impending arrival, I'd like to say the following:

Not every young manager starts their career at full pace (Hoofroyd did, and look at him now), and there are very, very few (Ferguson the only one I can think of, possibly GT & Gradi) who have never been sacked.

Most West Ham fans say Zola had one great season and one terrible one, and let's not forget he had one of the smaller budgets in the PL.

Hopefully he has learned some lessons from that. His West Ham team played the kind of football their fans can only dream about now - the kind of football we might have been playing if Judas R*dg*rs had stuck around.

One of the challenges of trying to play attractive football in this league is that it can take time to get the team right- both in terms of personnel & style/tactics - and time is a luxury not available to most managers in this (or any other) league. The fact that the Pozzos have a truly excellent track record of stable, long-term planning that has been absolutely & entirely successful is a great indicator that they will allow the new manager (assuming it will be Zola) the time & resources to build and develop his side.

There are no guarantees in football, but I am genuinely excitied about WFC for the first time since AB left. I love & defend pretty much all styles of football - one of the things that makes it the world's finest sport is that it can be played in so many different ways -but the thought of a financially stable Watford playing attractive passing football is something I didn't think I'd be seeing anytime soon.

So, whilst Sean can feel rightly hard done-by to lose his job, I wouldn't prevent it if it were in my power. I welcome the new regime with open arms - including Zola, the Italian Fonz.
I have only 2 mates and they are both West ham fans and say that Zola was a complete disaster, so let's hope not, Carry on SD
i only have 2 mates lol your not strummerjoe by any chance
I think you'll find the majority of West Ham fans liked Zola a lot.

Colin West's mullet says...
3:01pm Fri 29 Jun 12

JohnnyHornet wrote:
Colin West's mullet wrote:
Whilst I do understand the lack of huge excitement about Zola's impending arrival, I'd like to say the following:

Not every young manager starts their career at full pace (Hoofroyd did, and look at him now), and there are very, very few (Ferguson the only one I can think of, possibly GT & Gradi) who have never been sacked.

Most West Ham fans say Zola had one great season and one terrible one, and let's not forget he had one of the smaller budgets in the PL.

Hopefully he has learned some lessons from that. His West Ham team played the kind of football their fans can only dream about now - the kind of football we might have been playing if Judas R*dg*rs had stuck around.

One of the challenges of trying to play attractive football in this league is that it can take time to get the team right- both in terms of personnel & style/tactics - and time is a luxury not available to most managers in this (or any other) league. The fact that the Pozzos have a truly excellent track record of stable, long-term planning that has been absolutely & entirely successful is a great indicator that they will allow the new manager (assuming it will be Zola) the time & resources to build and develop his side.

There are no guarantees in football, but I am genuinely excitied about WFC for the first time since AB left. I love & defend pretty much all styles of football - one of the things that makes it the world's finest sport is that it can be played in so many different ways -but the thought of a financially stable Watford playing attractive passing football is something I didn't think I'd be seeing anytime soon.

So, whilst Sean can feel rightly hard done-by to lose his job, I wouldn't prevent it if it were in my power. I welcome the new regime with open arms - including Zola, the Italian Fonz.
I have only 2 mates and they are both West ham fans and say that Zola was a complete disaster, so let's hope not, Carry on SD
wow, that's depressing. I have twice as many limbs as you have friends. you should get out more.

Colin West's mullet says...
3:07pm Fri 29 Jun 12

Andrew Andronikou, partner at accountancy group UHY Hacker Young, which advised Watford on the sale, said: "We are delighted to have ensured that Watford F.C.'s immediate future is safe"

...which tells us that, without this deal, it most certainly was not safe."

abbotshornet says...
3:09pm Fri 29 Jun 12

Start of a new era whether SD stays or not, things need to move on and soon so we are up and running for the new season. COYH

Back from Hammerau says...
3:14pm Fri 29 Jun 12

Mickey Quinn, not so thin wrote:
cliff46 wrote: I see that the BBC website states that Watford were advised by administrator Andrew Andronikov, I am sure he was the man that acted in that capacity for Portsmouth. Does that mean we were in deeper financial mess than has so far been admitted or was he just acting as a paid advisor?
Thought the same thing - why otherwise would an administrator be involved? Can only assume non payment of debt/interest meant the bondholders were entitled to appoint an administrator to achieve the sale.
He may have been involved as an accountant with experience of football who happens to sometimes be an administrator.
An administrator is someone approved by a court to take over the running a club when it's gone through the legal process of going into administration.

peter10531089 says...
3:23pm Fri 29 Jun 12

With the Pozzo's onboard we can potentially offer young prospects at the academy the chance to gain experience in La Liga, Serie A and (hopefully in time) the Premiership - no other club can do this.

Furthermore if we were to mirror Granada's success and get into the Premiership the TV income and revenues would mean that the Pozzo's would be more inclined to juggle their playing resources in favour of ensuring the Hornets retain that status - Antonio De Natale on loan might be nice!
Udinese are known to have a great scouting network and bring in lots of players of south america, some make it some dont and the ones that do move for significant fees that get reinvested back into infrastructure and other fresh talent - with this as a back up either Dyche or Zola would be in a position as head coach rather than Manager, their coaching ability with a multicultural dressing room would be the most important thing (so Dyche's recruiting record is kind of irrelevant moving forward).

In answer to the person who asked what loyalty Dyche has shown - he has stayed at the club rather than go to Cardiff, he came back to learn his coaching craft in 2007 and worked with the youth team, the development squad, part fo the management team until taking the hot seat himself. In football these days this would qualify for a long service medal! He has done well and whilst the new owners may choose to change management, most supporters have been impressed with his calmness under pressure, his improvement was a very steep learning curve last season and he showed that he could improve the team he had and in doing so forged the most united feeling at Watford since Graham Taylor was in charge of the team (ironically only the owner felt out of place)

Mickey Quinn, not so thin says...
3:28pm Fri 29 Jun 12

Back from Hammerau wrote:
Mickey Quinn, not so thin wrote:
cliff46 wrote: I see that the BBC website states that Watford were advised by administrator Andrew Andronikov, I am sure he was the man that acted in that capacity for Portsmouth. Does that mean we were in deeper financial mess than has so far been admitted or was he just acting as a paid advisor?
Thought the same thing - why otherwise would an administrator be involved? Can only assume non payment of debt/interest meant the bondholders were entitled to appoint an administrator to achieve the sale.
He may have been involved as an accountant with experience of football who happens to sometimes be an administrator.
An administrator is someone approved by a court to take over the running a club when it's gone through the legal process of going into administration.
Hammerau - thanks, I know this, but interesting he was involved given his expertise in insolvency. I didn't mean we had entered administration, just that it clearly needed someone with his skills/background so the situation was clearly pretty serious..

"Andrew re-joined the London office in January 1999 as Turnaround & Recovery Partner, ..... was responsible for leading its corporate recovery and insolvency department.

He has extensive experience in Bank receivership and investigation assignments, and also liquidation appointments. He is particularly interested in undertaking corporate reconstruction work, such as Administrations and Company Voluntary Arrangements. Andrew has headed a number of high profile appointments including the recent Administration of Portsmouth Football Club, the first premier league club in history to enter Administration"

Dunderdale Pinner says...
3:49pm Fri 29 Jun 12

Great news. Hope the Pozzo's will hold a fans forum in the near future and outline their plans and ideas for WFC. As I said in an earlier text I cannot see any reason why SD cannot stay as manager and any newcomer (Zola) be Director of Football. I believe that to be the continental way.

Dunderdale Pinner says...
3:49pm Fri 29 Jun 12

Great news. Hope the Pozzo's will hold a fans forum in the near future and outline their plans and ideas for WFC. As I said in an earlier text I cannot see any reason why SD cannot stay as manager and any newcomer (Zola) be Director of Football. I believe that to be the continental way.

Back from Hammerau says...
3:55pm Fri 29 Jun 12

Dunderdale Pinner wrote:
Great news. Hope the Pozzo's will hold a fans forum in the near future and outline their plans and ideas for WFC. As I said in an earlier text I cannot see any reason why SD cannot stay as manager and any newcomer (Zola) be Director of Football. I believe that to be the continental way.
I can't see what qualifications Zola has that make him suitable for the role, other than the fact that he speaks Italian.

Colin West's mullet says...
3:56pm Fri 29 Jun 12

peter10531089 wrote:
With the Pozzo's onboard we can potentially offer young prospects at the academy the chance to gain experience in La Liga, Serie A and (hopefully in time) the Premiership - no other club can do this.

Furthermore if we were to mirror Granada's success and get into the Premiership the TV income and revenues would mean that the Pozzo's would be more inclined to juggle their playing resources in favour of ensuring the Hornets retain that status - Antonio De Natale on loan might be nice!
Udinese are known to have a great scouting network and bring in lots of players of south america, some make it some dont and the ones that do move for significant fees that get reinvested back into infrastructure and other fresh talent - with this as a back up either Dyche or Zola would be in a position as head coach rather than Manager, their coaching ability with a multicultural dressing room would be the most important thing (so Dyche's recruiting record is kind of irrelevant moving forward).

In answer to the person who asked what loyalty Dyche has shown - he has stayed at the club rather than go to Cardiff, he came back to learn his coaching craft in 2007 and worked with the youth team, the development squad, part fo the management team until taking the hot seat himself. In football these days this would qualify for a long service medal! He has done well and whilst the new owners may choose to change management, most supporters have been impressed with his calmness under pressure, his improvement was a very steep learning curve last season and he showed that he could improve the team he had and in doing so forged the most united feeling at Watford since Graham Taylor was in charge of the team (ironically only the owner felt out of place)
he stayed at the club rather than go to Cardiff?
he chose to be a No.1 rather than a No.2 - that's a display of career sense, not loyalty. none of your other points highlight loyalty either.

as before - I'm not saying he's disloyal or casting any aspersions - but it irks me when people keep banging on about his loyalty as if he turned down the England job to stay at The Vic.

wfcTim says...
3:57pm Fri 29 Jun 12

Got sent this from my mate who's West Ham, re Duxberry

http://www.westhamon
line.net/forum_flat.
php?6234864|o

Back from Hammerau says...
4:02pm Fri 29 Jun 12

Mickey Quinn, not so thin wrote:
Back from Hammerau wrote:
Mickey Quinn, not so thin wrote:
cliff46 wrote: I see that the BBC website states that Watford were advised by administrator Andrew Andronikov, I am sure he was the man that acted in that capacity for Portsmouth. Does that mean we were in deeper financial mess than has so far been admitted or was he just acting as a paid advisor?
Thought the same thing - why otherwise would an administrator be involved? Can only assume non payment of debt/interest meant the bondholders were entitled to appoint an administrator to achieve the sale.
He may have been involved as an accountant with experience of football who happens to sometimes be an administrator. An administrator is someone approved by a court to take over the running a club when it's gone through the legal process of going into administration.
Hammerau - thanks, I know this, but interesting he was involved given his expertise in insolvency. I didn't mean we had entered administration, just that it clearly needed someone with his skills/background so the situation was clearly pretty serious.. "Andrew re-joined the London office in January 1999 as Turnaround & Recovery Partner, ..... was responsible for leading its corporate recovery and insolvency department. He has extensive experience in Bank receivership and investigation assignments, and also liquidation appointments. He is particularly interested in undertaking corporate reconstruction work, such as Administrations and Company Voluntary Arrangements. Andrew has headed a number of high profile appointments including the recent Administration of Portsmouth Football Club, the first premier league club in history to enter Administration"
It didn't "clearly need" someone with his insolvency skills/experience. You're just assuming it did.
It may simply have been his wider football club finance experience for which he was involved.

Colin West's mullet says...
4:05pm Fri 29 Jun 12

Back from Hammerau wrote:
Mickey Quinn, not so thin wrote:
Back from Hammerau wrote:
Mickey Quinn, not so thin wrote:
cliff46 wrote: I see that the BBC website states that Watford were advised by administrator Andrew Andronikov, I am sure he was the man that acted in that capacity for Portsmouth. Does that mean we were in deeper financial mess than has so far been admitted or was he just acting as a paid advisor?
Thought the same thing - why otherwise would an administrator be involved? Can only assume non payment of debt/interest meant the bondholders were entitled to appoint an administrator to achieve the sale.
He may have been involved as an accountant with experience of football who happens to sometimes be an administrator. An administrator is someone approved by a court to take over the running a club when it's gone through the legal process of going into administration.
Hammerau - thanks, I know this, but interesting he was involved given his expertise in insolvency. I didn't mean we had entered administration, just that it clearly needed someone with his skills/background so the situation was clearly pretty serious.. "Andrew re-joined the London office in January 1999 as Turnaround & Recovery Partner, ..... was responsible for leading its corporate recovery and insolvency department. He has extensive experience in Bank receivership and investigation assignments, and also liquidation appointments. He is particularly interested in undertaking corporate reconstruction work, such as Administrations and Company Voluntary Arrangements. Andrew has headed a number of high profile appointments including the recent Administration of Portsmouth Football Club, the first premier league club in history to enter Administration"
It didn't "clearly need" someone with his insolvency skills/experience. You're just assuming it did.
It may simply have been his wider football club finance experience for which he was involved.
read Andronikov's statement and you will see that it clearly did need someone with his skills/background. He makes references to ensuring the short-term future of the club. There aren't two ways of looking at that.

gloryhornet4 says...
4:06pm Fri 29 Jun 12

Gash69 wrote:
I am really happy that the takeover appears to have been completed, in this case better the devil you don't know !. However my biggest concern is that Sean will lose his job, he has performed miracles on a shoestring & hould definitely be involved moing forward, Gianfranco was a fantastic player but his pedigree as a manager does not stand close scrutiny & for me I am a little scarred from the last time we a an ex Chelsea italian superstar as a manager !!
I was thinking the same. Put over paid long contract disasters in WD19 - conflict of interest perhaps? GV - didn't he give us 7 Nathan Ellingtons we could not afford to pay so had to kick out PR & RP for a tin of baked beans for each. As for SD - we picked up SM AM & MS as we had an academy that gave a good chance of first team football. Will local lads go elsewhere if they think the opps are not there anymore?

Back from Hammerau says...
4:26pm Fri 29 Jun 12

Colin West's mullet wrote:
Back from Hammerau wrote:
Mickey Quinn, not so thin wrote:
Back from Hammerau wrote:
Mickey Quinn, not so thin wrote:
cliff46 wrote: I see that the BBC website states that Watford were advised by administrator Andrew Andronikov, I am sure he was the man that acted in that capacity for Portsmouth. Does that mean we were in deeper financial mess than has so far been admitted or was he just acting as a paid advisor?
Thought the same thing - why otherwise would an administrator be involved? Can only assume non payment of debt/interest meant the bondholders were entitled to appoint an administrator to achieve the sale.
He may have been involved as an accountant with experience of football who happens to sometimes be an administrator. An administrator is someone approved by a court to take over the running a club when it's gone through the legal process of going into administration.
Hammerau - thanks, I know this, but interesting he was involved given his expertise in insolvency. I didn't mean we had entered administration, just that it clearly needed someone with his skills/background so the situation was clearly pretty serious.. "Andrew re-joined the London office in January 1999 as Turnaround & Recovery Partner, ..... was responsible for leading its corporate recovery and insolvency department. He has extensive experience in Bank receivership and investigation assignments, and also liquidation appointments. He is particularly interested in undertaking corporate reconstruction work, such as Administrations and Company Voluntary Arrangements. Andrew has headed a number of high profile appointments including the recent Administration of Portsmouth Football Club, the first premier league club in history to enter Administration"
It didn't "clearly need" someone with his insolvency skills/experience. You're just assuming it did. It may simply have been his wider football club finance experience for which he was involved.
read Andronikov's statement and you will see that it clearly did need someone with his skills/background. He makes references to ensuring the short-term future of the club. There aren't two ways of looking at that.
His skills as an administrator are in things like getting creditors to agree to take less money from a cash-strapped business. Why would that be relevant when the club's being bought by very wealthy people?
Maybe I'm being cynical, but I suspect that most people taking over clubs assure the fans by saying the future is secure, although should we be worried that we're only being promised that the "immediate future" is secure?

Colin West's mullet says...
4:33pm Fri 29 Jun 12

Back from Hammerau wrote:
Colin West's mullet wrote:
Back from Hammerau wrote:
Mickey Quinn, not so thin wrote:
Back from Hammerau wrote:
Mickey Quinn, not so thin wrote:
cliff46 wrote: I see that the BBC website states that Watford were advised by administrator Andrew Andronikov, I am sure he was the man that acted in that capacity for Portsmouth. Does that mean we were in deeper financial mess than has so far been admitted or was he just acting as a paid advisor?
Thought the same thing - why otherwise would an administrator be involved? Can only assume non payment of debt/interest meant the bondholders were entitled to appoint an administrator to achieve the sale.
He may have been involved as an accountant with experience of football who happens to sometimes be an administrator. An administrator is someone approved by a court to take over the running a club when it's gone through the legal process of going into administration.
Hammerau - thanks, I know this, but interesting he was involved given his expertise in insolvency. I didn't mean we had entered administration, just that it clearly needed someone with his skills/background so the situation was clearly pretty serious.. "Andrew re-joined the London office in January 1999 as Turnaround & Recovery Partner, ..... was responsible for leading its corporate recovery and insolvency department. He has extensive experience in Bank receivership and investigation assignments, and also liquidation appointments. He is particularly interested in undertaking corporate reconstruction work, such as Administrations and Company Voluntary Arrangements. Andrew has headed a number of high profile appointments including the recent Administration of Portsmouth Football Club, the first premier league club in history to enter Administration"
It didn't "clearly need" someone with his insolvency skills/experience. You're just assuming it did. It may simply have been his wider football club finance experience for which he was involved.
read Andronikov's statement and you will see that it clearly did need someone with his skills/background. He makes references to ensuring the short-term future of the club. There aren't two ways of looking at that.
His skills as an administrator are in things like getting creditors to agree to take less money from a cash-strapped business. Why would that be relevant when the club's being bought by very wealthy people?
Maybe I'm being cynical, but I suspect that most people taking over clubs assure the fans by saying the future is secure, although should we be worried that we're only being promised that the "immediate future" is secure?
er, maybe because the club appointed him because of his experience, the reason being that the club was in dire straits and needed to find a buyer?

Alex Hillcroft says...
4:43pm Fri 29 Jun 12

Mickey Quinn, not so thin wrote:
Back from Hammerau wrote:
Mickey Quinn, not so thin wrote:
cliff46 wrote: I see that the BBC website states that Watford were advised by administrator Andrew Andronikov, I am sure he was the man that acted in that capacity for Portsmouth. Does that mean we were in deeper financial mess than has so far been admitted or was he just acting as a paid advisor?
Thought the same thing - why otherwise would an administrator be involved? Can only assume non payment of debt/interest meant the bondholders were entitled to appoint an administrator to achieve the sale.
He may have been involved as an accountant with experience of football who happens to sometimes be an administrator.
An administrator is someone approved by a court to take over the running a club when it's gone through the legal process of going into administration.
Hammerau - thanks, I know this, but interesting he was involved given his expertise in insolvency. I didn't mean we had entered administration, just that it clearly needed someone with his skills/background so the situation was clearly pretty serious..

"Andrew re-joined the London office in January 1999 as Turnaround & Recovery Partner, ..... was responsible for leading its corporate recovery and insolvency department.

He has extensive experience in Bank receivership and investigation assignments, and also liquidation appointments. He is particularly interested in undertaking corporate reconstruction work, such as Administrations and Company Voluntary Arrangements. Andrew has headed a number of high profile appointments including the recent Administration of Portsmouth Football Club, the first premier league club in history to enter Administration"
He sounds like good fun

mal will says...
4:43pm Fri 29 Jun 12

good news now deal is done hope we keep S.D.lets appreciate what he has done and put up with at WFC and thank him for his loyalty and hard work he has put in and given us our highest league position in years.welcome the Pozzo family

Back from Hammerau says...
4:48pm Fri 29 Jun 12

Colin West's mullet wrote:
Back from Hammerau wrote:
Colin West's mullet wrote:
Back from Hammerau wrote:
Mickey Quinn, not so thin wrote:
Back from Hammerau wrote:
Mickey Quinn, not so thin wrote:
cliff46 wrote: I see that the BBC website states that Watford were advised by administrator Andrew Andronikov, I am sure he was the man that acted in that capacity for Portsmouth. Does that mean we were in deeper financial mess than has so far been admitted or was he just acting as a paid advisor?
Thought the same thing - why otherwise would an administrator be involved? Can only assume non payment of debt/interest meant the bondholders were entitled to appoint an administrator to achieve the sale.
He may have been involved as an accountant with experience of football who happens to sometimes be an administrator. An administrator is someone approved by a court to take over the running a club when it's gone through the legal process of going into administration.
Hammerau - thanks, I know this, but interesting he was involved given his expertise in insolvency. I didn't mean we had entered administration, just that it clearly needed someone with his skills/background so the situation was clearly pretty serious.. "Andrew re-joined the London office in January 1999 as Turnaround & Recovery Partner, ..... was responsible for leading its corporate recovery and insolvency department. He has extensive experience in Bank receivership and investigation assignments, and also liquidation appointments. He is particularly interested in undertaking corporate reconstruction work, such as Administrations and Company Voluntary Arrangements. Andrew has headed a number of high profile appointments including the recent Administration of Portsmouth Football Club, the first premier league club in history to enter Administration"
It didn't "clearly need" someone with his insolvency skills/experience. You're just assuming it did. It may simply have been his wider football club finance experience for which he was involved.
read Andronikov's statement and you will see that it clearly did need someone with his skills/background. He makes references to ensuring the short-term future of the club. There aren't two ways of looking at that.
His skills as an administrator are in things like getting creditors to agree to take less money from a cash-strapped business. Why would that be relevant when the club's being bought by very wealthy people? Maybe I'm being cynical, but I suspect that most people taking over clubs assure the fans by saying the future is secure, although should we be worried that we're only being promised that the "immediate future" is secure?
er, maybe because the club appointed him because of his experience, the reason being that the club was in dire straits and needed to find a buyer?
Needed to find a buyer?
I thought the Pozzos have been keen to buy the club since February and that it's only because of LB dragging his feet that it's taken so long.

Mickey Quinn, not so thin says...
5:12pm Fri 29 Jun 12

Back from Hammerau wrote:
Colin West's mullet wrote:
Back from Hammerau wrote:
Mickey Quinn, not so thin wrote:
Back from Hammerau wrote:
Mickey Quinn, not so thin wrote:
cliff46 wrote: I see that the BBC website states that Watford were advised by administrator Andrew Andronikov, I am sure he was the man that acted in that capacity for Portsmouth. Does that mean we were in deeper financial mess than has so far been admitted or was he just acting as a paid advisor?
Thought the same thing - why otherwise would an administrator be involved? Can only assume non payment of debt/interest meant the bondholders were entitled to appoint an administrator to achieve the sale.
He may have been involved as an accountant with experience of football who happens to sometimes be an administrator. An administrator is someone approved by a court to take over the running a club when it's gone through the legal process of going into administration.
Hammerau - thanks, I know this, but interesting he was involved given his expertise in insolvency. I didn't mean we had entered administration, just that it clearly needed someone with his skills/background so the situation was clearly pretty serious.. "Andrew re-joined the London office in January 1999 as Turnaround & Recovery Partner, ..... was responsible for leading its corporate recovery and insolvency department. He has extensive experience in Bank receivership and investigation assignments, and also liquidation appointments. He is particularly interested in undertaking corporate reconstruction work, such as Administrations and Company Voluntary Arrangements. Andrew has headed a number of high profile appointments including the recent Administration of Portsmouth Football Club, the first premier league club in history to enter Administration"
It didn't "clearly need" someone with his insolvency skills/experience. You're just assuming it did. It may simply have been his wider football club finance experience for which he was involved.
read Andronikov's statement and you will see that it clearly did need someone with his skills/background. He makes references to ensuring the short-term future of the club. There aren't two ways of looking at that.
His skills as an administrator are in things like getting creditors to agree to take less money from a cash-strapped business. Why would that be relevant when the club's being bought by very wealthy people?
Maybe I'm being cynical, but I suspect that most people taking over clubs assure the fans by saying the future is secure, although should we be worried that we're only being promised that the "immediate future" is secure?
Look, everything about his cv says "expert at dealing with businesses in financial trouble and getting them out of the brown stuff" whether that's via administration, financial restructure, CVAs, whatever.

Now that could be a complete coincidence, but I suggest everything else we are hearing re unpaid payroll, unpaid creditors, unpaid bondholders means it isn't.

Mickey Quinn, not so thin says...
5:14pm Fri 29 Jun 12

Mickey Quinn, not so thin wrote:
Back from Hammerau wrote:
Colin West's mullet wrote:
Back from Hammerau wrote:
Mickey Quinn, not so thin wrote:
Back from Hammerau wrote:
Mickey Quinn, not so thin wrote:
cliff46 wrote: I see that the BBC website states that Watford were advised by administrator Andrew Andronikov, I am sure he was the man that acted in that capacity for Portsmouth. Does that mean we were in deeper financial mess than has so far been admitted or was he just acting as a paid advisor?
Thought the same thing - why otherwise would an administrator be involved? Can only assume non payment of debt/interest meant the bondholders were entitled to appoint an administrator to achieve the sale.
He may have been involved as an accountant with experience of football who happens to sometimes be an administrator. An administrator is someone approved by a court to take over the running a club when it's gone through the legal process of going into administration.
Hammerau - thanks, I know this, but interesting he was involved given his expertise in insolvency. I didn't mean we had entered administration, just that it clearly needed someone with his skills/background so the situation was clearly pretty serious.. "Andrew re-joined the London office in January 1999 as Turnaround & Recovery Partner, ..... was responsible for leading its corporate recovery and insolvency department. He has extensive experience in Bank receivership and investigation assignments, and also liquidation appointments. He is particularly interested in undertaking corporate reconstruction work, such as Administrations and Company Voluntary Arrangements. Andrew has headed a number of high profile appointments including the recent Administration of Portsmouth Football Club, the first premier league club in history to enter Administration"
It didn't "clearly need" someone with his insolvency skills/experience. You're just assuming it did. It may simply have been his wider football club finance experience for which he was involved.
read Andronikov's statement and you will see that it clearly did need someone with his skills/background. He makes references to ensuring the short-term future of the club. There aren't two ways of looking at that.
His skills as an administrator are in things like getting creditors to agree to take less money from a cash-strapped business. Why would that be relevant when the club's being bought by very wealthy people?
Maybe I'm being cynical, but I suspect that most people taking over clubs assure the fans by saying the future is secure, although should we be worried that we're only being promised that the "immediate future" is secure?
Look, everything about his cv says "expert at dealing with businesses in financial trouble and getting them out of the brown stuff" whether that's via administration, financial restructure, CVAs, whatever.

Now that could be a complete coincidence, but I suggest everything else we are hearing re unpaid payroll, unpaid creditors, unpaid bondholders means it isn't.
in other words, if they didn't buy, we were in the pooh. His services should no longer be required now its gone through

Richard - Come On You Golden Boys! says...
5:41pm Fri 29 Jun 12

Rejoice! And be in no doubt, we've had an extremely lucky escape from financial ruin. to

We've been taken over by proper football people with the means to support us.

Marvellous or what?
Come on You Golden Boys!

lutondown says...
6:02pm Fri 29 Jun 12

Back from Hammerau wrote:
Dunderdale Pinner wrote:
Great news. Hope the Pozzo's will hold a fans forum in the near future and outline their plans and ideas for WFC. As I said in an earlier text I cannot see any reason why SD cannot stay as manager and any newcomer (Zola) be Director of Football. I believe that to be the continental way.
I can't see what qualifications Zola has that make him suitable for the role, other than the fact that he speaks Italian.
Nice to see the the new moaners are on board now Buck Cornet Edl loyal bankrupt me etc have become clappers.
Looking forward to the good times, and no overnight expectations
I thinkbim turning Udinese I think I'm turning Udinese I really think do....
Sorry for the lack of punctuation but as I got criticised by a bobble for my poor English I will now omit then completely in way of protest :-0)
But on a more serious note, this is freaking exciting or as my three year old granddaughter says I'm incited
Obviously same brain matter as her grandpa :-)
COYHZURI

lutondown says...
6:07pm Fri 29 Jun 12

Mickey Quinn, not so thin wrote:
Mickey Quinn, not so thin wrote:
Back from Hammerau wrote:
Colin West's mullet wrote:
Back from Hammerau wrote:
Mickey Quinn, not so thin wrote:
Back from Hammerau wrote:
Mickey Quinn, not so thin wrote:
cliff46 wrote: I see that the BBC website states that Watford were advised by administrator Andrew Andronikov, I am sure he was the man that acted in that capacity for Portsmouth. Does that mean we were in deeper financial mess than has so far been admitted or was he just acting as a paid advisor?
Thought the same thing - why otherwise would an administrator be involved? Can only assume non payment of debt/interest meant the bondholders were entitled to appoint an administrator to achieve the sale.
He may have been involved as an accountant with experience of football who happens to sometimes be an administrator. An administrator is someone approved by a court to take over the running a club when it's gone through the legal process of going into administration.
Hammerau - thanks, I know this, but interesting he was involved given his expertise in insolvency. I didn't mean we had entered administration, just that it clearly needed someone with his skills/background so the situation was clearly pretty serious.. "Andrew re-joined the London office in January 1999 as Turnaround & Recovery Partner, ..... was responsible for leading its corporate recovery and insolvency department. He has extensive experience in Bank receivership and investigation assignments, and also liquidation appointments. He is particularly interested in undertaking corporate reconstruction work, such as Administrations and Company Voluntary Arrangements. Andrew has headed a number of high profile appointments including the recent Administration of Portsmouth Football Club, the first premier league club in history to enter Administration"
It didn't "clearly need" someone with his insolvency skills/experience. You're just assuming it did. It may simply have been his wider football club finance experience for which he was involved.
read Andronikov's statement and you will see that it clearly did need someone with his skills/background. He makes references to ensuring the short-term future of the club. There aren't two ways of looking at that.
His skills as an administrator are in things like getting creditors to agree to take less money from a cash-strapped business. Why would that be relevant when the club's being bought by very wealthy people?
Maybe I'm being cynical, but I suspect that most people taking over clubs assure the fans by saying the future is secure, although should we be worried that we're only being promised that the "immediate future" is secure?
Look, everything about his cv says "expert at dealing with businesses in financial trouble and getting them out of the brown stuff" whether that's via administration, financial restructure, CVAs, whatever.

Now that could be a complete coincidence, but I suggest everything else we are hearing re unpaid payroll, unpaid creditors, unpaid bondholders means it isn't.
in other words, if they didn't buy, we were in the pooh. His services should no longer be required now its gone through
quinny I'm really warming to you!
Agreed with all your latest posts
Perhaps now we are nearly all in agreement we can spill some of our obvious passion onto the stands and cheer us into the Prem.
I'm having a couple tonight for at least having something exciting to anticipate.

ChunkeyMonkey says...
12:47am Sat 30 Jun 12

Irrespective of the true position of the club (both financial and in terms of "real ownership") of the last few weeks / days, for me there is a feeling that we are now on firmer ground with football owners showing an understanding of the financial realities of today's football industry. That in itself is reassuring compared to a whole line of previous owners containing dubious characters and opportunitists, inflated ego's and financial "players". Culturally we may face significant changes as we watch, powerless as ever to influence. However, the attraction for the new owners has to have been the brilliant pipeline established by way of the Academy. I for one believe that without it we would have been just another run down club just about scraping an existence but always having to look over the shoulder, and unattractive to any investor. Whilst management both on field and off field may change (and I do think we were fortunate to have SD in place as the right man in the right place to cope with the previous owner) the future must surely the most positive it has been since EJ cajoled Jim Bonser to sell. It's revolutionary evolution.

Henry VIII says...
1:44am Sat 30 Jun 12

I agree Chunkey, I am so thankful for our Academy. We really are a very fortunate bunch to be in this position at this time in the modern football word and ailing economy. I am not very optimistic about SD staying but I hope in my heart that he does because he really has been a rock this past season. It is all too easy to get excited by the turn of events at ou beloved club, but I for one will never forget what SD managed to do last season, especially after losing Cowie, Graham and backroom staff. Many were calling for his head, but similar to Keane at Blackburn (fortunately our man had a better turn of events) he maintained his dignity throughout the tough times. I accept there will be changes on and off the field and I will add how refreshing it is as a WFC fan to be facing the summer on a sound footing. I do not think we have been in this position for many years so it really is a unique feeling after all this time. I am not worrying about play-offs, promotion, or relegation, just the fact that we are likely to be well managed financially and with a rare breed of owners who actually love the game. They may not be English, but they are from the same continent. Good luch Pozzos and to everyone associated with the club - but most of all, to us fans. I think we deserve this. Cheers.

ChunkeyMonkey says...
9:04am Sat 30 Jun 12

Having hopefully come through the tunnel and out into the light, the biggest issue I foresee is the managing of the fans expectations - this is not going to be success by waving a chequebook, this is by the development of talent - far more satisfying in my mind.

click2find

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